Overcoming apprehension of mammogram

Published 4:17 pm, Monday, October 1, 2012

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Shanna Sissom

Shanna Sissom

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Overcoming apprehension of mammogram

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Today’s pink edition includes candid stories of women who have triumphed and survived, after moving past diagnosis dates and fighting for their lives. In one case, a newly diagnosed woman is facing her life battle with great courage and dignity.

Their stories are no doubt inspirations to us all.

But how many women reading this today have felt the apprehension of getting that first, or even subsequent, mammogram? Or even put it off for way too long? Such was the case with me, almost five years ago as I approached age 40. After detecting a lump, a doctor had told me a few years previously to get a mammogram. However, he didn’t seem overly concerned, and for whatever reason I didn’t go. I tried not to think about it.

Finally, after reading some newspaper stories during Breast Cancer Awareness Month just before that benchmark birthday, something motivated me enough to finally schedule an appointment.

***

Just hours after the mammogram, a nurse at my gynecologist’s office called. It’s the kind of phone call you never want to get, especially at work.

She went on to explain there was a mass in my left breast, and the doctor was referring me to a specialist.

“He’s sending you to a surgeon to see what he wants to do,” she said. The conversation was ever so brief, and she gently told me to make the appointment as soon as possible.

Stunned, I slipped into the office of my closest friend at work, and behind closed doors explained what had happened. A few tears softly flowed, but after a phone call to schedule the first available appointment with the surgeon, I was determined to carry on with business as usual.

Less than 48 hours later I was in the surgeon’s office, not knowing what to expect. By this time I felt more annoyed than frightened, although it seemed cruel having to wait two days, with so little information.

At least no one had mentioned the dreaded “C” word, until that day.

***

“I don’t think this is cancer, and here’s why . . .” the surgeon explained while displaying the X-rays. “But if you’re going to be nervous, we can biopsy it now, or we can wait and do another mammogram in six months.”

The latter seemed least intimidating.

Knowing doctors are almost paranoid about being sued, if he didn’t think it was cancer that was good enough for me. Sure, that may have been a strange way to rationalize the decision not to get a biopsy. But more so than most, I avoid doctors’ offices and medical procedures whenever possible.

Six months later, I was back at the imaging center. A letter followed in the mail that basically said there’s something there, but they believe it to be benign; come back in another six months.

And so it went. Every six months it was back to the imaging place, then on to the doctor. That most awkward and somewhat discomforting examination became routine. No big deal.

It was just this past year when the ordeal ended.

That time when the letter came, it was different from the others, and almost worthy of being framed. There was such a sense of relief, though I hadn’t before realized how worrisome it all was.

For some of us, getting over the apprehension of a mammogram can be a hurdle.

But when you look at the stories in today’s paper, and admire their brave resolve, breast cancer survivors themselves keep reminding us of the importance of early detection.